Candidate Profile: Tonia Moro

Lawyer Tonia Moro is mounting a write-in campaign for a seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners after no other Democrats stepped forward to run.

By Vickie Aldous

Lawyer Tonia Moro is mounting a write-in campaign for a seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners after no other Democrats stepped forward to run.

If Moro wins a majority of votes in the Democratic primary for Position No. 1 during the May election, she will face either Rick Dyer or Henry Marlowe, Jr. — who are squaring off in the Republican primary — during the November election.

Incumbent Commissioner Don Skundrick is not seeking re-election.

Moro said the community needs to devise creative economic development ideas. The economy could be improved through the promotion of energy-efficiency projects such as weatherization and replacement of inefficient hot water heaters and business lighting, she said.

"We can create a steady stream of construction jobs and save on energy costs in the county," said Moro, who has done volunteer work for the organization Rogue Climate.

Moro said the community needs to develop resilient infrastructure — everything from health care to transportation — that can withstand climate change.

Moro supports a May measure that would create a library district funded by a new property tax of up to 60 cents per $1,000 in assessed value.

"Whether communities have libraries says whether they are committed to education and economic development," she said. "It's an easy investment that gives us returns that are worth the investment."

Moro said the issue of medical marijuana dispensaries in the county is a complex one. The county should not delay addressing any health and safety issues regarding the siting of dispensaries, she said.

She said the issue of whether to ban the growing of genetically modified organisms — which county voters will decide in May — is equally complex.

Moro said she, like many consumers, shies away from GMO products and seeks organic products.

"A ban is an economic opportunity for the community," Moro said.

With demand for organic produce increasing, Jackson County could become a haven for organic growers, she said.

Moro, age 50, lives in the hills outside Talent. She has been a lawyer for 24 years, working in the areas of land-use law, municipal law, criminal defense appeals, business and real estate law and constitutional law.

Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or valdous@mailtribune.com. Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous.

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